What inspired you?
My friend Caroline has inspired me. She inspired me to do something so that I wouldn't feel useless when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She inspires me to keep going, to remain hopeful and to never give up. I'm also inspired by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. People like Tristan, Mary, Nina, Alex, Aiden, Luca ... you are all amazing. Then there are the pros, the people who you can only dream of being as good as. People like Chrissie, Paula, Liz, Lance ... I could go on but the message here is that anyone can be inspiring ... you just have to find the ones who do it for you!!
What has your toughest challenge been?
Without a doubt it has to be the Ultra-Moon: 52.4 miles of back to back MoonWalking through the night. The challenge was set in the summer of 2011 and I completed it in 12hrs 2mins on May 13th. I seem to remember saying "never again" but we'll see!! You can take a little look at my Ultra-Challenge here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_MkaaI3eXQ. Another tough challenge is always jumping in the lake on a Sunday morning ... it is never something I look forward to ... always something that makes me incredibly nervous and is always something of a challenge. That said ... I always love it once I'm in!!
Do you know how many miles u have walked/ ran in total?
Last year my challenge was to complete 1,000 miles and I not only hit this target but went beyond. This year I am part of a group who is aiming to hit 2012miles in 2012. So far I have racked up 762.3 so I am a little behind target but I WILL get there!!!
What do u eat?
I try to do the whole carb loading thing from about 3 days out from an event, I try to drink lots of water and try to eat lots of good stuff. Post event I try to eat lots of protein to help recovery and rehydrate properly. Having said all that ... I still enjoy chocolate, wine, and refuse to cut anything from my diet completely. Life is for living after all!!
What message would u like to pass on to future generations?
Having never been very successful at anything in particular at school, I have had to wait a long time to find something that I can not only 'do' but also do well. Children don't often have a lot of patience but if I could pass on one bit of advice it would be to have total faith in the fact that one day you WILL find something you can do really REALLY well ... so long as you work hard for it.
What motivates u to keep going?
Knowing that I haven't yet reached my limit helps me to keep pushing. I thrive on the feeling that a challenge provides and I'm finding the bigger challenges provide life-changing experiences. Raising money for a charity that is so very close to my heart (http://www.walkthewalk.org/Home) is also a huge motivator. When people are so incredibly generous to donate ... how could I possibly stop??
What is your fave book?
It's a book that I have only recently been lucky enough to get. It's a book written by Tristan Miller (http://runlikecrazy.com/) about his life changing experience of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks in 42 countries. He was kind enough to send me a copy, signed and with a personal message of encouragement. It really is a very special possession.
What is your hobby?
Training (of course), Facebooking (Another Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer) and getting to grips with Twitter (@UltraCrazyGirl)
How do u relax?
Training (of course), Facebooking (Anothr Ultra-Crazy year for breast cancer) and getting to grips with Twitter (@UltraCrazyGirl)
How many year have u been fundraising for?
I have done charity work since 1998, focusing on helping Walk the Walk since 2004.
Do u know how much u have raised altogether?
Since I started fundraising for Walk the Walk, I have raised just over £24,000 (I think)
If u weren't doing marathons etc. what would u do?
(Tough question) I have no idea what I would be doing!!! Aiming for a 'good for age' ranking in triathlons perhaps?? Working with dolphins somewhere idyllic?? Walking guide-dog puppies?? Who knows!!
What has been the most beautiful location you've seen?
The most beautiful location to train/event in has to be The Thames at night ... inky black, flat as glass, lights reflected on the surface it is truly magical and to see the light change as the sun begins to lighten the sky at about 3.30/4.00 am is something MoonWalkers are incredibly lucky to witness!! On the right morning ... the lake can be a very beautiful place to train too ... It's just a shame we aren't getting many of those mornings at the moment.
Do u know where you'll be carrying the Olympic torch?
July 6th in Ipswich ... still waiting for all the final details (and the shiny, white tracksuit) though
Have u ever met anyone famous?
My dad had a great job when I was younger which meant we met lots and lots of famous people but since being an adult those meetings have been more difficult to come by. My most recent 'sightings' have been Fearne Cotton at the 2011 Bath Half Marathon, Denise Lewis on Tower Bridge during The 2012 Virgin London Marathon and my very lovely college friend Dermot O'Leary at the 2012 Bath Half Marathon
Have u ever been interviewed?
I have been interviewed over the phone by various journalists of newspapers and magazines but this was my first ever 'live' interview and although none of the children were over 11 years of age ... it was certainly the most nerve wracking!!!
So there you go ... my answers to their excellent questions. Doing this has reminded me that I really must get around to writing about the Ultra ... and the tri. I promise I will do it very very soon.
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